Podcasts by Nonprofit Optimist

NPO 047: Redefining How We Measure Success (Joan Garry, Nonprofit Leadership Lab) from 2021-12-02T04:30:30

Today's guest is Joan Garry, author of Guide to Nonprofit Leadership and host of the Nonprofits are Messy podcast. Molly MacCready (host of the Nonprofit Optimist...

NPO 046: Starting a Giving Day for your Small Nonprofit (Molly MacCready, CROSO) from 2021-11-22T06:27:24

In this episode of the Nonprofit Optimist, host Molly MacCready shares her experience with starting a Giving Day for her small nonprofit, CROSO. They started their giving day in 2019 and have su...

NPO 045: Project Planning, Volunteer Engagement,&Networking (Kim Morris, River Keepers) from 2021-11-01T17:23:32

My guest today is Kim Morris, the project coordinator for River Keepers, a nonprofit based in Fargo, North Dakota. River Keepers’ mission is to advocate for safe ...

NPO 044: Self-care, check-in, pandemic times (Molly MacCready, CROSO) from 2021-10-19T04:20:35

In today's episode, host Molly MacCready sheds some light on her own experiences and thoughts regarding the past 18 months as well as discusses self-care. While a self-professed amateur at self-...

NPO 043: Founding story, Recruiting Volunteers, Membership Model, and the Power of No (Tessa Vierk, Chicago Tool Library) from 2021-10-01T07:14:57

In today's episode, Tessa Vierk (co-founder of the Chicago Tool Library) chats with Molly about their founding story, recruiting volunteers, creating their membership model, and the power of say...

NPO 041: Blogs, Email, and Videos for Nonprofits (Julia Gatten, AfricAid) - Part 1 of 2 from 2019-08-09T07:07:58

Julia Gatten is the Communications Director for AfricAid and she shares some of the biggest lessons she's learned about how to tell your story to donors. In this conversation, we talk about how ...

NPO 040: Developing your Major Gifts Program (Sean MacCready and Stephenie Lazarus, Horizons for Youth) from 2019-02-28T16:52:12

Sean MacCready and Stephenie Lazarus from Horizons for Youth share the lessons they have learned about partnering with donors, creating a major giving program, an...

NPO 039: Creating Space for Local Voices (Dr. Susan Blaustein, WomenStrong International) from 2018-12-18T15:27:15

Dr. Susan Blaustein of WomenStrong International shares the lessons she's learned about community and international development through her work. You can check out...

NPO 038: Announcement & Shout Outs from 2018-12-17T03:44:15

Super quick episode sharing a fun announcement (picture here!) and a few shout outs.

Website: Listen

NPO 036: Maximizing Capacity- partnerships, interns, and professional development (Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Pilsen Alliance) from 2018-08-06T05:12:54

My guest for today’s episode is Byron Sigcho, the executive director of Pilsen Alliance, here in Chicago. Pilsen Alliance is a social justice organization committ...

NPO 035: Free Online Resources (Molly MacCready, CROSO) from 2018-07-20T09:33:14

Announcements:

1. Listen

NPO 034: Growing your Funding Base (Stacy Horst, Erin's Hope for Friends) from 2018-06-01T02:09:21

Today’s guest is Stacy Horst, one of the founders of Erin’s Hope for Friends. Erin’s Hope for Friends believes that extending opportunities to form friendships to...

NPO 033: Event Planning for Small Nonprofits (Carrie Collins-Fadell, Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona) from 2018-04-23T16:55:09

Carrie Collins-Fadell is the executive director of the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona and is today's guest on the Nonprofit Optimist! Our conversation is dedica...

NPO 033: Event Planning for Small Nonprofits (Carrie Collins-Fadell, Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona) from 2018-04-23T16:55:09

Carrie Collins-Fadell is the executive director of the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona and is today's guest on the Nonprofit Optimist! Our conversation is dedica...

NPO 032: Seeing Patients as Master Teachers (Shay Beider, Integrative Touch for Kids) from 2018-03-19T23:35:44

My guest today is Shay Beider, the founder and executive director of Integrative Touch for Kids. Shay has been a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine for ...

NPO 031: The Power of Trust, Accountability and Incentives (Helene Dudley, TCP Global) from 2018-03-08T06:10:21

Helene Dudley is today's guest and she helped establish The Colombia Project in 2000, a zero-overhead, sustainable micro-loan program. This program evolved to inc...

NPO 030: Taking Multiple Approaches and Sharing Lessons (Liz Ryan, Youth First Initiative) from 2018-01-30T01:30:22

Liz Ryan, President and CEO of Youth First Initiative, is the guest on today's show. Youth First is a national advocacy campaign to end the incarceration of youth by closing youth prisons and in...

NPO 029: Email Communication and Maximizing Time (John Zimmerman, Casting for Hope) from 2018-01-04T16:11:37

My guest today is John Zimmerman, co-founder of Casting for Hope and also serves as the board chair and CEO. Casting for Hope is a nonprofit that focuses on atten...

NPO 028: Planning an International Trip for your Nonprofit (Margy and Randy Roberts, CROSO) from 2017-12-27T18:42:31

Margy Roberts has been a board member for CROSO (Child Restoration Outreach Support Organization) for the past 6 years. She and her husband Randy have been involved in CROSO as volunteers and do...

NPO 027: Getting Started, Fundraising and Collaboration (Carin Willis, Bridge for Pelvic Pain) from 2017-12-07T16:00:03

Carin Willis is the guest for today's episode and serves as the founder and executive director of Bridge for Pelvic Pain. Based in Colorado Spring, the Bridge for Pelvic Pains's mission is to co...

NPO 026: Mentors, Managing Time and Networking (Megan Stith, United Way of Central Kentucky) from 2017-10-30T05:55:22

Today's guest is Megan Stith, President and CEO of United Way of Central Kentucky. We discuss the importance and values of mentors, recommendations for how to manage time (including some schedul...

NPO 025: Creating your Support Network (Jen Cole, Clean Fairfax) from 2017-10-23T04:22:59

Today's Guest: Jennifer Cole has been the Executive Director for Clean Fairfax Council since January 2009. The mission of Clean Fairfax is to encourage environmental stewardship and urban sustai...

NPO 024: Connecting Your Nonprofit to Funding (Beth Rosenberg, Tech Kids Unlimited) from 2017-10-12T12:39:09

Beth Rosenberg founded Tech Kids Unlimited, a not-for-profit technology-based educational organization for kids ages 7 to 19 with special needs. In our conversation, she discusses how she initia...

NPO 023: Feelings and Social Media (Jaz Limos, Saints of Steel) from 2017-09-21T04:26:30

Today's guest is Jaz Limos is the Founder and CEO of Saints of Steel. San Francisco native, Jaz, spent her career in Silicon Valley teaching leaders how to strategically grow their performance a...

NPO 022: Values in Programming and Employment Structure (Anne Taube, CYO Camp) from 2017-09-13T14:04:07

Anne Taube is the Assistant Camp Director for CYO Camp in Brown County, IN. In this episode, she shares how they have been intentional in making sure the core va...

Nonprofit Optimist - Episode 021: Power Inequities in Nonprofits and Community Building; Lessons learned from the University of Dayton from 2017-09-07T19:00:21

In preparation for receiving the Joe Belle Memorial Young Alumni Award from the University of Dayton, host Molly MacCready takes this opportunity to reflect on the lessons she learned at UD. In ...

Nonprofit Optimist - Episode 020: Challenging Conventional Nonprofit Notions (Anoop Jain, Sanitation and Health Rights in India) from 2017-08-30T14:21:16

Anoop Jain is the co-founder and U.S. director of Sanitation and Health Rights in India (SHRI). SHRI was founded in 2011 to alleviate India's sanitation crisis. As an organization, SHRI believes...

Nonprofit Optimist - Ep 019: Bringing People Together and Raising Funds (Mark Mullins, Just Live Inc.) from 2017-08-22T20:44:18

Today, Molly is joined by Mark Mullins, board president of Just Live Inc. Just Live inc is a nonprofit out of southern Wisconsin that focuses on suicide preventio...

Nonprofit Optimist - Ep 019: Bringing People Together and Raising Funds (Mark Mullins, Just Live Inc.) from 2017-08-22T20:44:18

Today, Molly is joined by Mark Mullins, board president of Just Live Inc. Just Live inc is a nonprofit out of southern Wisconsin that focuses on suicide preventio...

Nonprofit Optimist - Episode 018: Office Culture and Management Style (Ann Rhomberg, Solidarity Bridge) from 2017-08-16T14:38:20

After working with Solidarity Bridge for the past ten years, executive director, Ann Rhomberg, shares how she manages her staff of eight. From clear expectations and weekly meetings to the impor...

Nonprofit Optimist - Episode 017: Increasing Equity and Avoiding the "Shoulds" (Kim Popa, Pones) from 2017-08-09T08:22:16

Kim Popa, co-founder and executive director of Pones, talks about how her nonprofit uses dance to create powerful change. Beginning with her own story of founding Pones, Kim discusses the lesson...

Nonprofit Optimist - Episode 016: Cultural Context and Questions to Ask Before getting Started (Machelle Norling, Hope Now) from 2017-08-01T05:50:31

Machelle Norling, founder and executive director of Hope Now shares helpful suggestions about cultural context and how to ...

Nonprofit Optimist - Episode 015: Board Expectations and Creating Functioning Committees (Molly MacCready, CROSO) from 2017-07-28T08:14:28

In this week's episode, Molly veers from the typical interview format and shares from her own experience of leading a nonprofit how they have navigated creating and implementing expectations for...

Nonprofit Optimist - Episode 014: Power of Storytelling and Advocacy Work (Nancy Cowles, Kids In Danger) from 2017-07-17T06:27:11

Executive director, Nancy Cowles, shares her experiences with disseminated information and changing practices around child safety products. In this episode she shares the power of storytelling, ...

Nonprofit Optimist - Episode 013: Infusing each Donor Interaction with your Mission (Lee Ann Eiland, Playworks Illinois) from 2017-07-10T06:14:09

Lee Ann Eiland, the Development Manager for Playworks Illinois, shares how Playworks integrates their mission into their w...

Nonprofit Optimist - Episode 012: A Bold Vision and Nonprofit Websites (Adam Walker, 48in48) from 2017-07-05T06:12:11

Adam Walker, co-founder of nonprofit 48in48, shares their bold vision and the ways in which 48in48 are changing the landscape of nonprofit websites. If you are interested in learning how to scal...

Nonprofit Optimist - Episode 011: Becoming an Expert and Tools for Community (Monika Jones, Brain Recovery Project) from 2017-06-25T10:58:04

Monika Jones serves as Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair of The Brain Recovery Project and is a co-founder of the organization. Through this work, Mon...

NPO 010: Online Resources and International Partnerships (Chris Stout, Center for Global Initiatives) from 2017-06-21T14:24

Founding Director, Dr. Chris Stout, shares his insights from ten years of leading the Center for Global Initiatives. After receiving many requests for involvement that spread their all-volunteer...

NPO 009: Strategic Planning And Board Membership (Jake Teitgen, Bethlehem Farm) from 2017-06-12T12:11:34

Today's Guest: Jake Teitgen
Jake is a native Hoosier who lives in Noblesville, Indiana. Jake lives with three strong-willed and wonde...

NPO 008: Engaging your Board of Directors (Liz Mills, Carlson Community Services) from 2017-06-05T16:07:40

Liz Mills has been the Executive Director of Carlson Community Services for the past 10 years. CCS provides after school programming, a community garden and a fine arts concert series. In this e...

NPO 007: Considerations for Starting a Nonprofit (Jennifer Smith, Black Butterfly Chicago) from 2017-05-29T05:39:33

Jennifer Smith, founder of Black Butterfly Chicago, shares her experience of starting a nonprofit-- what to expect, who to involve and how to keep perspective. This is a great interview for peop...

NPO 006 - How to be a Valuable Board Member (Dr. Emily Richardson, Nanubhai Education Foundation) from 2017-05-23T07:07:42

Speaking from the viewpoint of an active board member, Dr. Emily Richardson shares what makes the Nanubhai Education Foundation board function so well. Their board members and staff are committe...

NPO 005: Building a Young Professionals Board (Sharon Holdvogt, NPH USA) from 2017-05-15T18:57:15

 As the chair of a relatively new Young Professionals Board, Sharon Holdvogt gave great insight into what she has learned in managing, recruiting and building this board. This is a great episode...

NPO 004: Collaboration and Gathering Information (Laura Ng, Traffick Free) from 2017-05-09T04:10:07

Laura Ng, executive director of Traffick Free, shares great tips on how to get started with a nonprofit organization. From the importance of gathering information to what kinds of boards to put ...

NPO 003: Working in an Office of One (Jamelyn Lederhouse, Global Glimpse) from 2017-05-02T13:49:12

As the only person on the Global Glimpse staff in the Chicago area, Jamelyn has found creative ways to build community and optimize her work. Intentional choices on where and how to work have le...

NPO 002: Finding volunteers, navigating transitions&board structure from 2017-04-26T23:34:02

In this interview with Anna Mayer, Executive Director of Taller de José, the Nonprofit Optimist explores how to increase your staff without increasing your budget, how to support your organizati...

NPO 001 - Introduction to the Nonprofit Optimist from 2017-04-24T01:21:14

Welcome to the Nonprofit Optimist podcast! In this first episode, I introduce the three goals for this podcast:

1. Encourage the dListen